Remember, it's not a list of the best movies, it's a list of the most underrated...
Hello! Max here. I put this list together for a special radio
show I did a little while back. What makes a movie underrated?
The divide between the critical and popular perception of the
film, and it's actual quality. The bigger the difference, the
higher the ranking.
This little gem was David O. Russell's first feature, made for
nickels on the Sex Lies and Videotape template. Great performances and charm, despite a less-than-complete
plot.
Yeah, it's Steven Spielberg, but this film holds its own with
some of his greatest. It is especially overlooked when placed
along side his other WWII films, which tend to be considerably
overrated.
Todd Solondz's sophomore effort was adored by critics, but where
were the audiences? One of the best films of the last 25 years.
For some reason, people forget this also-ran from the John Hughes
era of 80's teen movies. This little masterpiece puts High Noon in High School, then turns it inside out. Hilarious, subversive,
and directed with intense visual style.
The dead-on-the-money view of after-college post-partum depression. The wit is dryer than a saltine and sharper than
a cheese knife. Another no-budget gem that somehow missed audiences.
This entry just proves how relative "underrated" is-- Dogma did well at the box office but by Kevin Smith standards, failed
to ignite the kind of passion (misguided or not) that his other
films provoked. Dogma is not taken seriously enough for its brains or its entertainment
value.
The directorial debut of everybody's favorite indie actor, Steve
"Mr. Pink" Buscemi. This slice-of-life tale finds strange poignancy
in the often-futile lives that most people lead, and reminds us
that sometimes our little splashes can be tidal waves... or is
it vice-versa?
The Kids in the Hall movie, which mysteriously vanished without
a trace upon release. I've always said that happy people ought
to be quarantined, and this film, about trying to find the cure
for depression, really speaks to that idea. Plus, it's gorgeously
shot and hysterically funny.
Richard Linkletter has inspired devoted cult followings for every
movie he's made, except possibly this one. Why? Because, in the
perverse logic of indie film lovers, this film is his most commercial,
most successful, and oh yeah, the most consistently well-written,
well-acted, and above all, entertaining.
I bet a lot of you thought Annie Hall would be picked. I mean, who can deny that not enough people
take to heart that film's cautionary tale about the futility of
romance? However, it did win three Oscars and gross 25 times its
budget. Purple Rose, on the other hand, is a perfect little gem, about a lady obsessed
with a film to the point it takes over her life. But life isn't
like the movies... or rather, movies aren't like life. Except,
of course, when they are. Like Annie Hall is. Which is the point of Purple Rose. I think. Wait, let me start over...
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